If, like many people, your plans to move home have been put on temporary hold as a result of the global economic crisis, then maybe it's time to look at giving your current home a new lease on life, with some affordable updates. More and more Calgarians are starting to appreciate that smaller can be better, and there's no reason why your existing home can't simply be made more homely!

Whether you live in an apartment or condo, a townhouse or detached family home, you can make the place feel like new with a few well chosen projects. Of course, one can't magic more rooms into existence, or pull a thousand extra square feet out of thin air, but some considerately planned alterations could make so much more, of what you already have.

Consider the things that you would look for, if you were house hunting. A bigger, more modern, kitchen? Why not look at renewing your counter tops, or replacing your old kitchen cupboard doors. Maybe some ambient lighting could help, and a smart new sink and faucets can work wonders. A couple of key cosmetic changes will make the place feel like new.

Again, consider giving any tired-looking bathrooms a bit of thought. You may not be able to find the money right now for a bigger house, or even a new bathtub, but some replacement tiles and fittings might well be within your price range.

You could join the ever growing number of Canadians who are making some environmentally friendly changes around the home; and reduce your bills at the same time. This doesn't necessarily have to mean installing expensive solar panels on the roof, or unsightly wind turbines out in the yard. Simple insulation measures can help keep a huge percentage of warm air in during the winter, cutting down significantly on heating costs. Do your windows or doors need replacing? Again, these are places where massive heat loss can occur. Perhaps you will just need to check the seals, and implement a fast and cost-effective repair.

Some new light fittings will transform the ambience of any room, and even new door handles and light switch covers will enhance the home, without breaking the bank.

Of course, new carpets and furniture involve greater investment, but can make all the difference. One of the cheapest and most dramatic ways to change the feel of a place, is to redecorate. Newly painted walls and woodwork can breathe new life into any space, and with a little thoughtful planning, one can emphasize previously neglected corners and change the character of a home in no time at all.

And if you decide to move sometime in the future, you can rest assured that those few home improvements you made, will make your place more appealing to buyers. So, do a little research, decide on a budget, prioritize the areas of your home you wish to revamp, and start making your old place feel like new!